Gr 4--8--This series covers disasters as well as changes made in their aftermaths. Topics range from floods to nuclear reactors. The text provides a detailed description of the events while photos offer an eyewitness feel. Several features make these titles especially helpful in supporting student writing. "Straight to the Source" sections share expert commentary on the disaster, then ask readers to write a response quoting from the source to support their ideas. "Stop and Think" is a similar section that offers prompts for written reflections on the material. Sidebars throughout the books offer various perspectives on each incident, and "Fast Facts" provide a recap of salient points. A further aid is the ABDO website with links to additional sources for research and writing support. VERDICT A helpful purchase for its engineering topics and tie-ins to writing curriculum.

The Engineering Disasters series (6 titles) recounts major tragedies that resulted from the human error inherent in man-made projects. Here, Kortemeier lays out in detail the events of the infamous meltdown of the Soviets' Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, walking readers through the failed safety test on April 26, 1986, and then the hazardous fallout and massive cleanup effort that ensued. The text sticks to a straightforward, chronological narrative, with the occasional sidebar adding historical context or giving "Perspectives" of tangential figures. Despite the dry prose, clear explanations, steady pacing, and efficient storytelling make this an accessible account, detailed enough for research projects, with interstitial questions prompting readers to think independently about the risks and rewards of nuclear power. A useful entry point for conversations on the energy industry.